This summer's relatively cool weather hasn't just made it more pleasant to go outside on most weekends -- it's also likely kept away mosquitoes that cause West Nile virus.

This year, seven groups of mosquitoes have tested positive for the illness, including some in Bridgeport, Stratford, Danbury and East Haven. There have been no human cases of the illness reported to date.

Compare that to last year at this time, when 40 groups of mosquitoes had tested positive for the illness. Ultimately, during last season, West Nile-positive mosquitoes were trapped in 22 Connecticut municipalities, and four humans had confirmed cases of the illness.

But this is shaping up to be a quieter year for mosquito-borne illnesses.

"It's been very light," said Dr. Theodore Andreadis, director of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, which is responsible for trapping and testing mosquitoes in the state. "The number of Culex pipiens mosquitoes (which carry West Nile) has been down all summer. I don't see West Nile being a major thing this summer."

Andreadis said the same is true of eastern equine encephalitis, which had a robust season last year that included the first human case in Connecticut. This year, he said, EEE activity has been weak as well.

The severity of a mosquito season is largely dependent on weather, with the critters preferring a wet spring and a hot, dry summer. This summer has been fairly cool, which could be a factor.

However, Andreadis cautioned that summer -- and hence, mosquito season -- is not over.

"If we do get warmer weather over the next couple of weeks, we could see an uptick in activity," he said.

"Right now, as we move into the second half of August and then into September, historically, if you're going to have human cases, this is the time when people are going to be exposed," he said.

Most people infected with West Nile virus will have a mild illness that may include fever and other flu-like symptoms. Rarely, people develop a severe form of the illness that can include neck stiffness, disorientation, loss of consciousness, tremors, muscle weakness and paralysis.

To protect against mosquitoes, experts recommend that Connecticut residents minimize time spent outdoors at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most prevalent; make sure door and window screens are tight-fitting and in good repair; and consider using mosquito repellent.